July 22, 2008

Hillside receives $350,000 grant to provide family crisis support services

Monroe County Office of Mental Health program provides immediate response to needs of families 

Rochester, NY-July 22, 2008- Families in Monroe County with youth between the ages of five and 21 that are experiencing an immediate mental health crisis can now receive in-home support services through Hillside Children’s Center’s Family Crisis Support Services as the result of a $350,000 grant from the Monroe County Office of Mental Health. 

“The need for in-home family crisis support services was identified by youth and families in a series of focus groups conducted by the Monroe County Office of Mental Health. Using this feedback, the county sought out proposals for a service that would provide rapid response and intensive support, delivered in the home. It is anticipated that this service will assist families at a critical time to prevent hospitalization and avert future crises,” said Dr. Kathleen C. Plum, Director of the Monroe County Office of Mental Health. 

“The grant provides Hillside with an exciting opportunity to respond to the needs of families immediately,” said Tess Mahnken-Weatherspoon, Hillside Children’s Center Monroe Region service leader. 

Hillside Children’s Center’s Family Crisis Support Services (FCSS) will provide short-term, family driven supports, helping families to build on existing strengths to stabilize the home environment and improve family functioning. The service offers home-based skill building and family advocacy to youth ages five to 21 with serious emotional or significant mental health challenges who are experiencing a mental health crisis and their families. FCSS will utilize Intensive Support Planning, a process that outlines a response to “immediate needs” or challenging behaviors, and the Functional Behavior Approach for assessment and identification of needs. 

“Monroe County looks forward to partnering with Hillside to positively impact the lives of children and families through the Family Crisis Support Services program,” said Monroe County Executive Maggie Brooks. “The quality in-home care Hillside Children’s Center will provide will assist families facing mental health crises and aid them as they overcome related challenges. Undoubtedly, this program will serve as a tremendous resource for our entire community.” 

Youth and their families are eligible to receive these services through Hillside if the identified youth necessitates further support and learning of skills to avert future mental health crises. Eligible youth must also be able to benefit from additional support as a follow-up to other acute care services; and have a viable and consistent living environment with parents/guardians who are able and willing to participate in home-based services. Additional information regarding Family Crisis Support Services is available through Hillside’s Integration Center at (585) 256-7500. 

About Hillside Children’s Center
Hillside Children’s Center (), an affiliate of Hillside Family of Agencies, is a provider of care for youth and families with a wide range of emotional, behavioral, or life-circumstance challenges. HCC offers mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, special education, safety net, and developmental disabilities services to children and families throughout Central and Western New York. HCC services are customized based on the strengths and needs of individual youth, families, and communities.

Hillside Family of Agencies () is a family and children services organization that provides child welfare, mental health, youth development, juvenile justice, special education, and developmental disabilities services across Central and Western New York. Hillside Family of Agencies is comprised of affiliates Crestwood Children's Center, Crestwood Children's Foundation, Hillside Children's Center, Hillside Children's Foundation, Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, and Snell Farm Children's Center.